Rock drill



Feb- 18,1936 l E. G. GARTIN A l 2,030,981

ROCK DRILL Filed May 29, 1933 5 sheets-sheet i web; 1s, 1936. E. G. @Amm 2,030,981

ROCK DRILL Filed May 29, 1935 3 `Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 18, 1936. I E. G, GARTIN 2,030,981

ROCK DRILL Filed may 29, 19'33 s sheetshsneet 5.

Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE ROCK DRILL Massachusetts Application May 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,490

18 Claims.

This invention relates to rock drills, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improvements in an adjustable support for a hammer rock drill of the portable, hand held type.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable support. Another object is to provide an improved adjustable suppo-rt for a rock drill of the portabe, hand held type. A further object is to provide an improved adjustable drill support having embodied therein improved counterbalancing means for a drill thereon and improved drill guiding means whereby an operator may handle the drill in an improved manner and with facility. 'I'hese and other objects will,

however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown for purposes of illustration one preferred form and several modifications thereof which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred illustrative embodiment of the improved adjustable support, a rock drill being shown in position thereon and parts shown in section to sho-w details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a detail view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a further modication.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the support shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail elevational view showing a still further modified form of construction.

Fig. 9 i's a side elevational view with parts shown in section of the support shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on line I-I of Fig. 8.

Fig. 1l is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing still another modified form of construction.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational View with parts shown in longitudinal section illustrating a modifled form of drill counterbalancing means.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken subc stantially on line I3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 shows a still further modied form of construction.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, there is 5.3 shown an adjustable drill suppo-rt generally desig- (Cl. Z55-53) nated I having mounted thereon a rock drill, generally designated 2, of the usual hand held hammer type. The rock drill, which is of a standard design, comprises a casing 3 containing a hammer motor of the usual reciprocating piston type and supporting within its iront chuck housing 4, a drill steel 5. Attached to the rear head of the drill casing is a usual grasping handle 6. The rock drill 2 is of the portable hand held type normally adapted to drill down ho-les while 10 supported by the operator; and the improved adjustable support I is provided whereby the drill may be used to drill horizontal or upwardly inclined holes witho-ut the necessity of burdening the operator with the entire weight of the drill. 15 The preferred form of the improved adjustable drill support I comprises a standard or column 'I herein of tubular form having telescopically arranged Within its lower end an adjustable foot member 8 providing an abutment engaging point 20 9 adapted to engage the mine or quarry iioor. The lower end of the column is split at I0 to provide a clamp having an operating handle II whereby the adjustable foot member 8 may be held in its dilerent positions of adjustment. The 25 upper end of the column 'I has threaded therein a support member I2 having a lateral abutment engaging point I3 adapted to engage the mine or quarry wall in the manner shown in Fig. 1. Slidably mounted on the column I is a support 30 member I4 in the form of a sleeve having suitable clamping means I5 whereby the same may be clamped in its diiferent positions of'adjustment to the column. This slidable support I4 is provided with a trunnion engaging or'swivel 35 member I6, as shown in Fig. 2, adapted to fit within a socket II formed in a swiveled guide member I 8. Secured to this swiveled guide member is a drill steel guide and support I9 herein providing a, hook-shaped guiding portion 20 for 40 embracing the drill steel 5 and within which the drill steel is adapted to rest during the drilling operation. In this illustrative construction, the improved drill counterbalancing means comprises a cylindrical counterbalancing weight 2 I` slidably Ll5 guided within the bore 22 of the column 'I and having connected thereto at its upper end a iiexible element 23, herein a cable or rope. This cable is secured to the weight and passes upwardly from the weight through the interior of the column and outwardly through an opening 24 formed in the support I2. Journaled on a pin 25 carried by the support I2 is a sheave or pulley 26, and the rope 23 passes upwardly around this pulley and then downwardly along the side of the column and around a sheave or pulley 21 journaled on a pin 28 carried by a bracket 29 integral with the sliding sleeve I4. The rope 23 passes around the sheave 21 and then laterally for connection at 3B to a lug or projection 3| secured to the drill casing. The swivel member I8 is provided with a lateral opening 32 of suitable dimensions so that the same may be lifted upwardly and removed laterally from the swivel or trunnion I6.

The mode of use of the improved adjustable drill support will be clearly apparent from the description given. The drill support is placed in position between the mine or quarry floor and the mine or quarry wall in the manner shown in Fig. 1 with the abutment engaging point 9 engaging the floor and the lateral abutment engaging point I3 engaging the Wall. The drill steel 5 of the rock drill is then placed in position within the hook-shaped guiding portion 20 of the drill guide I9 and the counterbalancing rope 23 attached to the projection 3| on the drill casing, the operator grasping the handle 6 of the drill to partially support the weight thereof and to direct the same during the drilling operation. The counterbalancing weight 2|, through the cable and pulley connection, tends to counterbalance the weight of the drill and to aid in the feeding of the drill toward the work. If it is desired to drill holes either upwardly or downwardly at different inclinations, as indicated at A and B in Fig. 1, the operator merely swings the drill about the trunnion support i5 either upwardly or downwardly, as desired. If it is desired to drill holes at a higher elevation, as indicated at C in Fig. l, the clamp I5 of the sliding support I4 is released and the support I4 moved upwardly along the column to a position indicated, the clamp thereafter being tightened to hold the support in position on the column. The column may be adjusted vertically to vary the locus of engagement of the point I3 with the mine or quarry wall simply by releasing the clamp I0 and moving the column upwardly along the foot piece 8 to the desired position, the clamp II) thereafter being tightened to hold the parts in adjusted position. As the drill steel penetrates the rock the weight 2|, which at all times maintains the counterbalancing rope 23 taut, slides downwardly within the column bore.

In the modication shown in Fig. 5, the column 35 and the sliding support 36 are substantiallyv identical to those described in a preferred form of the invention. However, in this form of the invention the sliding support 35Y has no clamp I5 and is at all times free to slide upwardly and downwardly along the column. In this instance, the foot piece 31 is secured rigidly within the lower end of the column, while the upper abutment engaging support 38 is secured to an adjustable member 39 of tubular form telescopically arranged within the upper end of the column bore. The upper end of the column is provided with a clamp 49 having an adjusting handle 4| so that the adjustable member 39 may be clamped in its different adjusted positions within the column. Slidablym'ounted within the member 39 is a counterbalancing weight 42 similar to the weight 29 above described and having a rope or cable 43 passing around pulleys 44 and 45 carried by the abutment engaging support 38 and sliding support'36, respectively. The swivel drill guide 46 is preferably identical to the guide I8.

In the use of this form of the invention, the operator may change the position of the drill support 33 relative to the column simply by sliding the support upwardly or downwardly along the column. The abutment engaging support 38 may be adjusted to engage the mine wall at different locations simply by releasing the clamp 40 and sliding the tubular member 39 either upwardly or downwardly into the desired position, the clamp 4U thereafter being tightened to lock the parts. Otherwise the operation of this form of the invention is the same as that above described.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 6 and rI, the column, sliding drill support and upper abutment engaging support are substantially identical to those described in the preferred form of the invention. In this modified construction, however, an adjustable foot piece 41 is telescopically arranged within the lower end of the column and is provided with an abutment engaging point 48. 'Ihis element 41 is of tubular form and is traversed by a series of openings 49 along its length within which a locking pin 50 carried by the column is insertible to hold the foot piece in the desired adjusted position. In this form of the invention a counterbalancing weight 5I is arranged within the column, and is provided with a rope or cable 52 guided by pulleys 53 and 54 carried by the upper abutment engaging support and the sliding drill support, respectively, as in the preferred form of the invention. In this construction, the weight is provided With a conical or tapered lower end 55 so as the same moves downwardly within the column, the point thereof guides the weight within the bore 56 of the tubular foot piece 41, the weight moving within the tubular body of the foot piece as the drill is fed inwardly. The upper abutment engaging supporting is herein provided with lateral portions 51 each having an abutment engaging point 58, they points being arranged in laterally spaced relation for engagement with the mine or quarry wall at spaced points, thereby preventing undesirable rocking of the column about its axis as might occur in the form wherein but a single point is provided.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8, 9 and l0, the adjustable element 39 for the upper 'abutment engaging support 39, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with adjusting means whereby the same may be slid inwardly and outwardly within the upper end of the column in an improved manner. In this improved construction, the adjustable element 39 has secured 'along the length thereof a rack 59 with which engages a pinion 69 journaled within lateral lugs 6| formed on the upper end of the column 35 and having an operating lever 6I. When the pinion 99 is rotated by this lever, the rack 59 is moved either upwardly or downwardly to adjust the member 39 in either direction, as desired.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. l1, the column, lower foot piece, and the upper abutment engaging support are substantially identical to those described in the preferred form of the invention. In this construction, however, the counterbalancing weight is made in tubular form as at 62 and is slidable upwardly and downwardly on the exterior of the column. Fastened at 63 to this weight is a rope or cable 64 guided by a, pulley 65 carried by the upper abutment engaging support and a pulley B3 carried by a sliding drill support 61 slida-bly mounted on the exterior of the tubular weight 62. 'I'he swiveled drill guide 68 is identical to those above described. In this form of the invention, as the drill is fed inwardly, the weight 6'2 moves downwardly along the column and within the sliding support 61, the weight 62 being of sufficient length so as to permit the drill steel to be fed inwardly to the desired distance without the weight sliding out through the support 61.

In the modied form of construction shown in Figs. l2 and 13 the counterbalancing weight 69 is mounted within the column and has connected to its opposite ends a rope or cable 10. This cable passes around a pulley Il carried by the upper abutment engaging support and by a pulley 12 journaled on a shaft I3 carried by the column. The side of the column is provided with an opening 14 to permit the pulley to extend thereinto, as shown in Fig. l2. Secured by an attaching device 15 to the rope 'l0 is a rope or cable i6 guided by a pulley Tl carried by a bracket T8 secured to the sliding drill support 19, the cable 16 extending laterally and secured at its end to the rock drill. The swiveled drill guide 80 is identical to those described in the other forms of the invention. In this construction, when the drill is fed inwardly the weight 69 moves downwardly Within thc column and the cable 76, due to its attachment 'l5 to the cable "l, eiiects counterbalancing of the drill. 'I'he sliding drill support 'I9 is provided with a clamp 8| for securing the same in its diierent positions of adjustment along the column.

In the modification shown in Fig. 14, the column and counterbalancing weight structure is identical to that described in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1l. In this construction, however, secured to the upper and lower ends of the column is a support 85 having a portion 86 extending parallel with the column and inwardly bent ends 87, 81. Slidably mounted on the support 85 is a sliding drill support 88 having a swivel drill guide 89 similar to those above described. Attached at 99 to the upper end of the tubular weight 9| is a rope or cable 92 guided by a pulley 93 carried by the upper abutment engaging sup-- port 94 secured to the upper end of the column. The cable 92 extends around the pulley 93 and downwardly along the side of the column and is guided by a pulley 95 journaled on the sliding drill support 88, the cable 92 extending around the pulley 95 and laterally for attachment to the rock drill. 'Ihe sliding drill support 88 is provided with a clamp 96 for securing the same in its adjusted position along the member 85.

As the mode of use of the various drill supports shown in the modifications shown in Figs. 6 to 14, inclusive, are substantially identical to those described in the forms of the invention shown in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, and as the various methods of use of the improved drill supports described herein will be clearly obvious to those skilled in the art, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved adjustable drill support is provided whereby a rock drill of the portable, hand held type may be utilized to drill horizontal and upwardly inclined holes in an improved manner. It will further be noted that an improved adjustable drill support is provided which may be readily set up in working position and which may be readily moved from place to place. It will still further be noted that an improved adjustable drill support is provided having embodied therein improved counterbalancing means for the drill whereby the operator may handle the drill in a more efficient and facile manner, particularly during the drilling of horizontal or upwardly inclined holes. These and other uses and. advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specically described one form and several modifications thereof -which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these are shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be further modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An adjustable support for rock drills coinprising an upstanding column having abutment engaging supports at its opposite ends, one support extending at right angles with respect to the other for engagement with the oor and wall respectively of the working face, a drill guide mounted on said column for adjustment longitudinally therealong and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative to the guide, and drill counterbalancing means associated with the column and guide and co-nnected to the rock drill for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide and column.

2. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising an upstanding column having abutment engaging supports at its opposite ends, a drill guide mounted on said column for adjustment longitudinally therealong and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative to the guide, and drill counterbalancing means associated with said column and drill guide and connected to the rock drill for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide and column, said counterbalancing means including a counterbalancing weight guided by said column longitudinally of the latter and connections between said weight and the rock drill.

3. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising an upstanding supporting member having abutment engaging elements at its opposite ends, one abutment element extending laterally and the other longitudinally with respect to said supporting member for engagement with the oor and wall respectively of the working face, a drill guide mounted on said supporting member for adjustment longitudinally therealong and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative to the guide, and drill counterbalancing means for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide and column, said counterbalancing means including a counterbalancing weight and a cooperating exible element having its intermediate portion between the weight and rock drill engaging said drill guide.

4. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising a tubular standard having abutment engaging points at its opposite ends, drill guiding means on said standard and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement with respect thereto, and drill counterbalancing means for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guiding means and standard,

said counterbalancing means including a counterbalancing weight slidably guided within said tubular standard, and means for connecting said Weight to the rock drill guided by said'guiding means.

5. An adjustable support for rock drills cornprising a tubular standard, a drill guide mounted on said standard and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative to the guide, and drill counterbalancing means for counterbalancing the Weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide and standard, said counterbalancing means including a counterbalancing Weight guided by said standard longitudinally with respect to the latter, a pulley at the upper end of said standard, a pulley on said drill guide, and a cable connected to said Weight and rock drill and having its intermediate portion guided by said pulleys.

6. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising a standard having abutment engaging points at its opposite ends, a drill guide mounted on said standard for adjustment longitudinally therealong and on Which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative to the guide, and drill counterbalancing means for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide and standard, said counterbalancing means including a counterbalancing Weight guided by said standard longitudinally of the latter, and a connection between said Weight and the rock drill guided by said guide.

7. An adjustable drill support for rock drills comprising a column having a bottom abutment engaging support, an adjustable upper abutment engaging support therefor, a drill guide on said Column, and drill counterbalancing means comprising a counterbalancing Weight guided by said column, pulleys carried by said adjustable abutment engaging support and said drill guide, respectively, and a cable attached to said Weight and guided by said pulleys and adapted for attachment to a rocl; drill guided by said guide.

8. An adjustable drill support for rock drills comprising a column having a bottom abutment engaging support, an adjustable upper abutment engaging support therefor, a drill guide adjustable upwardly and downwardly along said column, and drill counterbalancing means comprising a counterbalancing Weight guided by said column, pulleys carried by said adjustable abutment engaging support and said drill guide, respectively, and a cable attached to said Weight and guided by said pulleys and adapted for attachment to a rock drill guided by said guide.

9. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising a standard having extensible means for varying the length thereof, a drill guide mounted on said standard for adjustment longitudinally with respect thereto and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative to the guide, and drill counterbalancing means for counterbalancing the Weight of the rock drill irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide and standard, said counterbalancing means including a counterbalancing Weight, a pulley on the upper end of said standard, a pulley on said adjustable guide, and a cable attached to said weight and rock drill and having its intermediate portion guided by said pulleys.

10. Ina rock drill support, a tubular column having at its upper and lower ends abutment engaging points, a sleeve guided on said column for movement longitudinally thereof, means for securing said sleeve in different positions longitudinally of said column, a drill guide element carried by said sleeve and on Which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative thereto, and means for counterbalancing the Weight of the rock drill guided by said guide element irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide element and column including a pulley journaled on the upper end of said column, a pulley journaled on said sleeve, a drill counterbalancing Weight guided Within said tubular column, and a cable guided by said pulleys and secured to the counterbalancing Weight and connectible to a rock drill guided by said drill guide element.

1l. In a rock drill support, a tubular column comprising telescopically arranged tubular elements, one element being extensible relative to the other to vary the length of the column, each clement having an abutment engaging point and means for securing said extensible tubular ele- .t

ment in adjusted position, a sleeve guided on said column for movement longitudinally thereof, means for securing said sleeve in different positions longitudinally of said column, a drill guide element carried by said sleeve and on which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative thereto, and means for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill guided by said guide element irrespective of its bodily guided position with respect to said guide element and 1,

column including a pulley journaled on the upper end of said column, a pulley journaled on said sleeve, a drill counterbalancing weight guided Within said tubular column, and a cable guided by said pulleys and secured to the counterbalancing Weight and oonnectible to a rock drill guided by said drill guide element.

l2. In a rock drill support, a tubular column, an abutment member secured to the upper end of the column and having an abutment engaging point, a foot piece telescopically arranged within the lower end of the column and having an abutment engaging point, means for securing the foot piece in its diierent adjusted positions with respect to the column, a sleeve slidably guided on said column for adjustment lengthwise thereof, means for securing said sleeve in different adjusted positions longitudinally of the column, a drill guide element carried by said sleeve and on which a rocki drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative thereto, and means for counterbalancing the weight of the rock drill guided by said guide element irrespective of its bodily guided position With respect to said guide element and column including a pulleyr journaled on said abutment member at the upper end of the column, a pulley journaled onsaid sleeve, a counterbalancing Weight slidably guided within said column, and a cable guided by said pulleys and secured to said counterbalancing Weight, said i abutment member at the upper end of the column having an opening through which said cable extends into connection With said Weight, said cable also secured to a rock drill guided by said drill guide element.

13. In a rock drill support, a tubular column having at its lovver end an abutment engaging point, an extensible tubular member telescopically engaging the upper portion of the column, means for securing said extensible member in its different adjusted positions with respect to the column, a member secured to the upper end of said extensible member and having an abutment engaging point, a sleeve guided on said column, a drill guide element carried by said sleeve, a

pulley journaled on said abutment member at the upper end of said eXtensible member, a pulley journaled on said sleeve, a counterbalancing weight guided within said extensible member and column, and a cable guided by said pulleys and secured to said counterbalancing weight and connected to a rock drill guided by said drill guide element, said abutment member at the upper end of said extensible member having an opening through which said cable extends into connection with said weight.

14. In a rock drill support, a column having abutment engaging points at its opposite ends, a counterbalancing weight in the form of a sleeve guided on said column for movement longitudinally thereof, a sleeve guided on said counterbalancing weight for movement longitudinally thereof, a drill guide element carried by said last mentioned sleeve, a pulley journaled on the upper end of said column, a pulley journaled on said last mentioned sleeve, and a cable guided by said pulleys and secured to said counterbalancing weight and connectible to a rock drill guided by said drill guide element.

l5. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising a column having an abutment engaging point at its lower end and a laterally projecting abutment engaging point at its upper end for engagement respectively with the iloor and wall of the working face, a drill guide mounted on said column for adjustment along the length of the latter and relative to which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative thereto, means for securing said guide to said oolumn in its diierent adjusted positions, and drill counterbalancing means associated with said column and drill guide for counterbalancing the weight of a rock drill guided by said guide, said counterbalancing means connected to the rock drill and operative to counterbalance the weight of the drill irrespective of the bodily guided position of the latter relative to said guide and column.

16. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising a column having an abutment engaging point at its lower end and a laterally projecting abutment engaging point at its upper end for engagement respectively with the floor and Wall of the working face, a drill guide mounted on said column for adjustment along the length of the latter and relative to which a rock drill is adapted to be guided for bodily movement relative thereto, means for securing said guide to said column in its different adjusted positions, and drill counterbalancing means associated with said column and drill guide for counterbalancing the weight of a rock drill guided by said guide irrespective of the bodily guided position of the rock drill with respect to the latter and said column and including a counterbalancing weight guided by said column, a pulley at the upper end of said column, a pulley on said drill guide, and a cable secured to said Weight and drill and having its intermediate portion guided by said pulleys.

17. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising an upstanding column having an abutment engaging point at its loWer end and a laterally projecting abutment engaging point at its upper end for engagement respectively with the floor and wall of the working face, a drill guide mounted on said column for adjustment longitudinally therealong, and means for securing said guide in its different adjusted positions with respect to said column, said guide embodying a swivelled guide element relative to which a rock drill is adapted to be guided, said guiding element being swivelly mounted to enable the rock drill to be guided in different angular positions with respect to said column, and drill counterbalancing means whereby the weight of the drill is counterbalanced irrespective of the bodily guided and angular positions thereof relative to said guide, said counterbalancing means associated with said column and guide and connected to the rock drill.

18. An adjustable support for rock drills comprising an upstanding column having an abutment engaging point at its lower end and a laterally projecting abutment engaging point at its upper end for engagement respectively with the floor and wall of the working face, a drill guide mounted on said column for adjustment longitudinally therealong, and means for securing said guide in its different adjusted positions with respect to said column, said guide embodying a swivelled guide element relative to which a rock drill is adapted to be guided, said guiding element being swivelly mounted to enable the rock drill to be guided in different angular positions with respect to said column, and drill counterbalancing means whereby the Weight of the drill is counterbalanced irrespective of the bodily guided and angular positions thereof relative to said guide, said counterbalancing means associated with said column and guide and connected to the rock drill and including a counterbalancing weight guided by said column longitudinally with respect to the latter, a pulley at the upper end of said column, a pulley on said drill guide, and a cable secured to said Weight and drill and having its intermediate portion guided by said pulleys.

ELMER G. GARTIN. 

